New Year’s Eve 2012 L.A. dining guide

Ring in 2013 with some bubbly and dinner out on the town before those New Year resolutions commence. Here are 26 restaurants offering multiple-course and a la carte menus on New Year’s Eve:

A.O.C.: The wine bar and restaurant is celebrating its 10^th anniversary and ringing in the New Year with a birthday bash on New Year’s Eve. A.O.C.’s holiday menu will feature antipasto, Eastern scallop with cornbread chorizo stuffing, roast suckling pig and a bittersweet chocolate tart with mascarpone to finish. 6:30 and 9 p.m. seatings are available, priced at $95 and $125 per person, respectively. Optional wine pairings will be offered for an additional $40 per person. Reservations can be made online or by calling the restaurant. 8022 W. 3rd St., L.A., (323) 653-6359, www.aocwinebar.com.

Artisan House: A six-course prix fixe menu inspired by La Belle Epoque will be served at Artisan House on New Year’s Eve. The first seating at 6 p.m. is $65 per person and the second at 9 p.m. is $85 per person and includes a specialty cocktail and Champagne toast. Menu items on the prix fixe include oysters on the half shell, French onion soup, baked chevre on toast, braised veal shoulder and for dessert, a dark chocolate mousse infused with lavender or warm strawberry skewers baked with crème de cassis. Call for reservations. 600 S. Main St., L.A., (213) 622-6333, www.artisanhouse.net.

Bestia: Restaurateur Bill Chait and chef Ori Menashe’s new Italian restaurant in downtown L.A.’s Arts District is hosting New Year’s Eve with an la carte menu. Bestia will be taking reservations for two different seatings, at 6 and 9:30 p.m. Menu items include grilled octopus, steamed mussels, agnolotti stuffed with braised beef cheeks, chestnut doughnuts with coffee gelato and more. Call for reservations. 2121 7th Place, L.A., (213) 514-5724, www.bestiala.com.

BierBeisl: Chef Bernhard Mairinger will be serving a traditional Austrian feast for guests on New Year’s Eve. The restaurant’s special four-course prix fixe menu includes marinated duck breast, creamy pumpkin soup, traditional stuffed roasted goose or Vienna turkey schnitzel, and a chocolate mousse trio served with marinated Northwest cherries. In addition, all guests will receive a surprise gift for the New Year. Dinner at BierBeisl is $65 person with optional wine pairings available for an additional $30. Seating is available at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Call for reservations or email [email protected]. 9669 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 271-7274, www.bierbeisl-la.com.

Caulfield’s: The bar and dining room’s new chef Stephen Kalt is preparing a special menu for Angelenos on New Year’s Eve with seatings from 5 to 10 p.m. In addition to the restaurant’s a la carte menu, a three-course prix fixe will be offered for $105 per person. Dishes include hard shell Maine lobster, filet mignon with lobster gnocchi and more. Guests will receive a complimentary glass of Champagne upon arrival. Call for reservations. 9360 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 388-6860, www.caulfieldsbeverlyhills.com.

Cecconi’s: The Italian restaurant in West Hollywood is hosting a midnight masquerade this New Year’s Eve with a four-course prix fixe available throughout the evening. An early seating will be available starting at 6:30 p.m. for $80 per person followed by a late seating at 9 p.m. for $125 per person. The New Year’s Eve menu includes duck terrine, spiny lobster tortellini, prime beef and more. As midnight nears, the restaurant will feature a champagne toast and live DJ set until 2 a.m. Call for reservations. 8764 Melrose Ave., W. Hollywood, (310) 432-2000, www.cecconiswesthollywood.com.

Chaya: Chaya’s three dining establishments in Beverly Hills, downtown L.A. and Venice will be hosting New Year’s Eve festivities. Celebration themes include “Hollywood Nights” at the brasserie in Beverly Hills, “Roaring 20s” at Chaya Downtown and “Gatsby” in Venice. Menus and pricing vary for each location. Call for reservations. 8741 Alden Drive, L.A., (310) 859-8833; 525 S. Flower St., L.A., (213) 236-9577; 110 Navy St., Venice, (310) 396-1179, www.thechaya.com.

The Churchill: The gastropub on West 3rd Street will be celebrating New Year’s Eve with an early prix fixe dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in addition to an all night, open bar party. The Churchill will be serving up seasonal dishes including smoked scallop sausage with bacon and celery root puree, black truffle risotto, braised lamb belly and more. Starting at 10 p.m., the restaurant will be throwing a N.Y.E. bash featuring a buffet prepared by chef Bruce Kalman and multiple DJ sets. The prix fixe dinner includes a champagne toast, amuse bouche and a three-course meal for $55 per person, and tickets to the N.Y.E. party start at $95. Call for dinner reservations and purchase tickets for the party online. 8384 W 3rd St., L.A., (323) 655-8384, www.the-churchill.com.

Craft: The Craft team is celebrating New Year’s Eve with three seatings offered throughout the evening. The first and second seating are at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., respectively, for $105 per person. The last seating starts at 9:30 p.m. and includes a champagne toast, priced at $125 per person. First-course options, including Maine lobster panzanella and oysters on the half shell, will be served to the table while guests can choose a main course from dishes such as albacore tuna, diver sea scallops and quail. The menu’s dessert choices include a mocha chocolate torte with banana and cardamom date cream and more. Call for reservations. 10100 Constellation Blvd., L.A., (310) 279-4180, www.craftrestaurantsinc.com.

Fig and Olive: A four-course prix fixe dinner and complimentary glass of champagne will kick off New Year’s Eve festivities at Fig and Olive. Starting at 6 p.m., seating will be available on the restaurant’s upper mezzanine and inside patio for $150 per person or in the main dining room and lounge for $200 per person. Menu items include seared scallops, truffle risotto with cremini and trumpet mushrooms, roasted lamb rack and more. At 10 p.m., the restaurant will host a gold and white party with jazz-inspired music, party favors and a balloon drop at midnight. Call or email [email protected] for reservations. 8490 Melrose Place, W. Hollywood, (310) 360-9100, www.figandolive.com.

The Hungry Cat: The restaurant’s Hollywood and Santa Monica locations will be offering a special three-course dinner on New Year’s Eve. The menu at each location will vary but will feature dishes like pancetta-wrapped monkfish, tandoori octopus, citrus- marinated sea bream and a selection of seasonal desserts. N.Y.E. dinner at The Hungry Cat in Hollywood is $75 per person and $85 at the Santa Monica location. Both locations will also be open on New Year’s Day for brunch and dinner. Call for reservations. 1535 N. Vine St., Hollywood, (323) 462-2155: 100 W. Channel Road, Santa Monica, (310) 459-3337, www.thehungrycat.com.

Ink: Michael Voltaggio’s Ink is creating a 12-course tasting menu for New Year’s Eve inspired by Salvador Dali’s cookbook “Les Diners de Gala.” The evening’s menu will feature dishes like cauliflower with roquefort and “peacock l’Imperiale.” Seating will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 10 p.m. Dinner is $150 per person with optional wine pairings available for an additional $75 per person. Call for reservations. 8360 Melrose Ave., L.A., (323) 651-5866, www.mvink.com.

Little Next Door: The French brasserie will be hosting a New Year’s Eve gala inspired by “The Gatsby.” A four-course holiday menu will be served featuring speakeasy-style libations and Charleston dancing to the tunes of ragtime jazz. Little Next Door’s N.Y.E. celebration will offer an early seating at 6 p.m. for $95 per person as well as a late seating at 7:30 p.m. for $165. Call for menu details and reservations. 8164 W. 3rd Street, L.A., (323) 951-1210, www.thelittledoor.com.

Mélisse: Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin is ringing in the New Year with a four-course tasting menu for guests looking to dine early, in addition to a six-course tasting menu for those wanting to dine closer to the countdown. The first seating starts at 5:30 p.m. for $150 per person and the second at 8:30 p.m. for $250 which includes live music and dancing. Menu items include egg caviar, Maine lobster, monkfish wrapped in butternut squash and more. Reservations are advised. 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 395-0881, www.melisse.com.

Michael’s: California cuisine pioneer Michael McCarty and executive chef John-Carlos Kuramoto celebrate the New Year with two tasting menus. The first seating between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. costs $95 per person and features a five-course menu with options such as oysters and blood orange mignonette; slow-roasted pork belly with market vegetables; Manchester Farms quail, thyme sabayon and pickled onions; and Ellensburg rack of lamb with whole-grain mustard potato puree. The second seating between 8 and 10 p.m. is $125 and includes an additional course of butter-poached lobster with ricotta ravioli or duck confit. Wine pairings available. Call for reservations. 1147 3rd St., Santa Monica, (310) 451-0843, www.michaelssantamonica.com.

Mohawk Bend: On New Year’s Eve, Mohawk Bend will be serving up a family-style dinner with a menu featuring Buffalo cauliflower, bacon-wrapped dates, vegan burger sliders, sweet potato fries and more. Festivities include a New Year’s beer toast and live music from local blues band Downtown Train. In addition to the meal priced at $45 per person, an a la carte menu will also be available. Walk-ins are welcome but reservations are advised. 2141 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A., (213) 483-2337, www.mohawk.la.

The Parish: The English gastropub-inspired restaurant in downtown L.A. will be hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration starting at 5:30 p.m. with a la carte dinner selections and specialty cocktails. A New Year’s party will follow from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with passed appetizers, drinks and a midnight toast. Tickets for the late night bash can be purchased in advance for $30 per person, or at the door for $15 per person (excludes drink token). Email [email protected] for reservations. 840 S. Spring St., L.A., (213) 225-2400, www.theparishla.com.

Picca: The Peruvian restaurant on the Westside will be offering a six-course dinner on N.Y.E. accompanied by a live DJ set and party favors. Chef Ricardo Zarate’s menu will include grilled shrimp tartare, Peruvian paella, caigua rellena (stuffed Peruvian cucumber) and more. Two seating options will be available; the first seating is at 6 p.m. for $70 per person and the second at 9:30 p.m. for $120 per person. Call or email [email protected] for reservations. 9575 W. Pico Blvd., L.A., (310) 277-0133, www.piccaperu.com.

Providence: Michael Cimarusti’s market-driven, multi-course N.Y.E. menu at Providence features diver scallops, king crab, Maine lobster, wild Norwegian cod, white chocolate sorbet and more. The restaurant will be offering an early seating starting at 5:30 p.m. and a late seating starting at 8:30 p.m. The holiday menu is $205 per person or $260 per person with optional wine pairings. Call for reservations. 5955 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 460-4170, www.providencela.com.

Public Kitchen and Bar: The restaurant located inside the Roosevelt Hotel is serving up a six-course prix fixe dinner on New Year’s Eve. Chef Tim Goodell’s holiday menu includes a seafood tower with jumbo shrimp, oysters, clams and stone crab; and lamb noisette with grilled artichokes and watermelon goat cheese gremolata. The first seating is at 6 p.m. for $170 per person and the second is at 9 p.m. for $200 per person. The second seating includes a wristband for entry into the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s New Year’s Eve Saints and Sinners party. Call for reservations. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., (323) 769-8888, www.thompsonhotels.com.

Red O: Red O is ushering in 2013 with a special N.Y.E. menu featuring the restaurant’s signature Mexican dishes such as albacore ceviche, lamb with black mole and more. Two different seating options will be available; the first starting at 6 p.m. and the second at 9 p.m. The first seating is $85 per person for a four-course meal while the second is priced at $135 per person and will feature a five-course meal, a live DJ set, party favors and a midnight champagne toast. Call for reservations. 8155 Melrose Ave., L.A., (323) 655-5009, www.redorestaurant.com.

Rivera: John Rivera Sedlar’s pan-Latin restaurant is ringing in 2013 with a special five-course dinner paying tribute to L’Ermitage and its founder Jean Bertranou. Rivera’s New Year’s Eve prix fixe is $125 per person which includes a glass of champagne and a menu feeaturing dishes such as smoked salmon tartine with caviar, aiguillette de canard and a chocolate Charlotte (chocolate pie crowned by ladyfingers). Call for reservations. 1050 S. Flower St., L.A., (213) 749-1460, www.riverarestaurant.com.

Rustic Canyon: New Year’s Eve at Rustic Canyon wine bar and seasonal kitchen will feature a special small-plates sharing menu and a Champagne toast at midnight. Guests will choose 8 items from a market-driven holiday menu including dishes such as persimmons and burrata, roasted quail, and oysters. Dinner costs $85 per person, and an additional $45 for wine pairings. Call for reservations. 1119 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 393-7050, www.rusticcanyonwinebar.com.

The Tasting Kitchen: Chef Casey Lane is crafting a six-course prix fixe menu with pescaterian and vegetarian options available for diners on New Year’s Eve. Saffron arancini, porcini crudo with a ricotta salata, beef brasato and pink snapper are among items featured on the prix fixe menu which is priced at $100 per person. The Tasting Kitchen‘s dessert options include a prosecco sundae with oro blanco sorbet in addition to hot chocolate pudding with toasted hazelnut ice cream and sherry eggnog cream. Wine pairings will be available, starting at $45. Call for reservations. 1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, (310) 392-6644, www.thetastingkitchen.com.

Valentino: Piero Selvaggio’s 40-year-old classic Italian fine-dining establishment is hosting New Year’s Eve dinner from 5 p.m. to closing. Valentino will be offering a special five-course tasting menu featuring wild mushroom timbale with truffled fondue, a venison cutlet with a grape glaze, crab ravioli and more. The meal will finish with a selection of artisanal cheeses and sweets. Dinner is $120 per person with the optional wine pairings. 3115 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 829-4313, www.valentinosantamonica.com.

Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: Black eyed peas, Kumamoto oysters, shrimp ‘n grits, halibut with Maine lobster hash and sweet potato pie are some of the Southern-style dishes on the New Year’s Eve menu at Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing. Featured libations for the evening include a Louisiana Purchase champagne cocktail. Kevin Kathman’s new Abbot Kinney restaurant will be offering a four-course prix fixe menu for $75 per person. Reservations will be available from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Reservations can be made online or by calling (310) 392-2425. 1031 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, (310) 392-2425, www.wolfinsheepsclothingrestaurant.com.

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